Wonders of the Universe [Blu-ray]

Could have been very good but the background music was so loud it drowned out the narrator's voice. I could only understand about half of what he said. Such a pity.

I also own 'Wonders Of The Solar System' and I really enjoyed it. This one is just as interesting if not better. This is an excellent purchase, especially if you are into Astronomy and the like. Something like Carl Sagan's Cosmos is very interesting (albeit a bit boring for average people) but this here presents to any type of crowd.Professor Brian Cox is amazing at his presentations. His enthusiasm compiled with the awesome graphics and information provided equal for a very enjoyable experience. There's enough info to keep an Astronomer hooked but worded nicely so that even someone oblivious to Astronomy could follow.BBC never fails with the cinematography. They use excellent equipment and the camera-men seem to know all the best angles. I swear BBC must use the best cameras available on the planet. The music is pretty rad also and flows together beautifully with the HD landscapes. I really appreciate the use of the vignetting in this flick. This would also be a great video to throw on when you have house guests over and want to show off your flat screen.Bottom line, if you want a good astronomy movie, buy this. You won't regret it. If you seen the first one and enjoyed it you will more than likely enjoy this one. 5 stars... and I hope they make more similar blu rays like this.

WONDERS OF THE UNIVERSE, Professor Brian CoxDear AMAZON, Professor Brian Cox helped me understand more about the Universe than any other previous DVD's, books, news, magazine articles I've watched and read about the Universe ~ Prof. Cox brought it all together. I've read that he is a wonderful and enthusiastic Professor at England's Manchester University, and; know he is a marvelous narrator and story teller of his Wonders of the Universe. I loved how he told the story with his trips and experiences all leading up to understanding more about how the Universe works. His DVD's are perfect for the layperson who is interested in hearing about Science, Physics and attempting to understand this Universe that continues to astound us.Really looking forward to his books and DVD's on his upcoming new Wonders of Life. I have them in my Amazon orders as they become available and signed on your waiting list for his new book release in May 2013 through my Kindle. You were sold out of the Wonders of Life DVD (Christmas-time) but thanks for ordering more. Thank you AMAZON! I love your Company! I also love your Kindle (mine is the first one you introduced and still wonderful.) Thank you for being the best!!

In the legend-- Carl Sagans' wake, Dr. Brian Cox has ..with BBC backing, his choreographer & cameraman, created the finest educational tool - for this subject-- currently available, period. From 5th grade kids, thru freshman H.S., this series allows televised learning to finally become so memorable ...with his easy style, & world traveled background, that any mind-- sponges it in- right to the L.T.M. !!! This is how the T.V. screen SHOULD be used. Brian Coxs' "Wonders"--- is a SPECTACULAR, --FACT BASED, wonder-- in itself. I sent a copy to my physicist uncle ( age 89 )...as well. I so hope... he continues, no matter how many cheap, boisterous american imitators.. try to copy this true innovator. The layering of centuries of scientific fact are so simply tied together, most teachers will use the pause button, just to re- cover the overflow of hard proved facts. Thank You so much, Dr. Cox. . ( ( never met, no relation, no business connection whatsoever ))

I really enjoyed Wonders of the Solar System (WSS) so I was excited when I found out that there was a "sequel". Unfortunately, in this shorter series, Professor Cox seems to be more rehearsed and therefore, it has less appeal than the first, which was brought to life by his enthusiasm for the subject.There are four episodes in this 2 disc DVD...1)Destiny2)Stardust3)Falling4)MessengersNone of these are repeats of what was in the first DVD series (eg the episode on gravity here is called "Falling" and it's not the same as the episode "What on earth is wrong with gravity" which was a special feature on the WSS 3 disc DVD set).I would still recommend it, especially for kids, because it's very educational. Professor Cox really does explain things well. Also, even though most people would consider Cosmos a better series this is more up to date.The other DVDs I would recommend on this subject are 1)Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking and 2)Universe (History Channel Series) seasons one and two.

This guy just talks about stuff you already know in an accent. He's like "this star is ova 3 trillion years old! And then one day, it exploded! And it's light, is just now reaching us." Then he'll pause and be like. woah... then they'll show some computerized images of space which look really cool especially if all the lights are off.The education is really remedial. I mean here I am, you have my full attention and I paid for this blu ray. Oh man! These stars are so old! There are over 600 billion stars in the known universe!!I don't regret buying it though.

This show is a real life-changer. No matter what your life is like, or whatever faith you have, this series will move you. Professor Brian Cox talks about things that you probably have never thought about in your life, or knew was possible. He takes you to places you never thought existed and helps you understand the vastness of the universe but in a way us "non professors" can understand.This is truly a remarkable series and one that has changed my life. I now have the beginning of an understanding that we are only a spec in this vast universe and in the great length of time.Watch the show and I hope it changes your life like it did mine.

I noticed that Amazon have lumped the reviews of all the editions of this documentary together, so you can't really tell the difference between the standard DVD release, the two disc Blu-ray edition or this. So, as the title states, this is specifically a review of the single disc Blu-ray release.As the technical details at the top state, the single disc contains all four episodes , so total length is just short of four hours. The audio is English Stereo Dolby Digital and the video format is 1080i/16:9. It is not 24P or anything like that. There are subtitles in English, for the hard of hearing. That's it. So it is pretty much standard BBC Blu-ray format; say, the same as  Ancient Worlds (Blu-ray)  (although, with six episodes, that came on two discs).The quality is good. It is very good. Many of the scenes are, even after multiple viewings, stunning. But really, it is no better than watching the series broadcast on one of the BBC's High Definition channels. And, again like Richard Miles' 'Ancient Worlds', there are no extras, no 'making of' mini-docs so often seen at the end of BBC natural history programmes.I'm still happy to have it. This is a documentary series that I have watched half a dozen times already and I am quite sure I will watch it many, many more times. The photography and photographic effects such as the moody vignetting are, as I have already said, brilliant. Brian Cox's presentation is infectiously enthusiastic, the computer generated images really imaginative and quite stunning and the accompanying music very effective. I remember that there was criticism of the music at the time of broadcast, but I find some of the more 'rock-oriented' backing music highly effective, really adding to the impact of the visuals.So - it is a wonderful documentary series. This Blu-ray edition, though, is simply a good, straight-forward copy of the broadcast series; no extras, no features, no special sound. Frankly, it doesn't need it.Talking of the scenery; yes, some do border on visual hyperbole. The opening shots of the good professor perched perilously atop a mountain reminded me very much of an edition of  Thus Spoke Zarathustra  - our Brian as Superman? I have to say, he doesn't look very comfortable standing there. Using the demolition of a derelict prison in some South American city to demonstrate the creation of the heavier elements in dying suns seemed just a little OTT but, on the other hand, the shots of decaying diamond mining towns in Namibia were both beautiful and apposite.Still - this series is called 'Wonders...' - that is the crucial word - "wonders'. Professor Cox explicitly states that he was hugely influenced by Carl Sagan and his  Cosmos  TV series/book. Cox even restates Sagan's famous (and, in my opinion, beautiful) quote "We are the way the universe knows itself". This is the way this programme should be approached. Brian Cox has been criticised for supposedly 'dumbing-down' the science - in one episode, he says "Now, I wouldn't normally show you a graph, but this one..." Why wouldn't you normally show us a graph Professor Cox? Because that is NOT what this series is about. This series is, to restate yet again, about the Wonder of the Universe, about that sense of awe that we all feel just looking up into the night sky. Ancient Worlds (Blu-ray)Thus Spoke ZarathustraCosmos

Amazing presentation of the universe and how we fit in it. Visually stunning, and the music chosen works well.Brian Cox's voice is like that of David Attenborough, pleasant and calming. I expect at some point I will also buy Wonders of the Solar System and enjoy that just as much.Recommended viewing for anyone interested in astronomy, science and all things Wow!

This is described as Brian Cox's but it is NOT the BBC's series of the same name. There is a little bit of Brian Cox on the first DVD but None of him in the 2nd. In short, it's a scam. Do not buy this. I am going to ask for a refund.

This series, like  Wonders Of The Solar System [Blu-ray ] is fantastic, Cox puts it so simply that anyone can understand. If you liked Wonders Of The Solar System, note this series is a lot more scientific, but there are still some amazing places mentioned! If you want a down to earth physics series then I strongly recommend  Stephen Hawking's Universe [Blu-ray] [1997 ].As the title says, bit of a let down as to the Blu-ray. If you watched this on TV, you may have noticed that for the first few episodes the sound pretty much blanked out much of what Cox was saying. They did change this for the TV series, but not for the DVD or Blu-ray (I have NO IDEA why).Also, because they have fitted it all into 1 disc, the audio is not HD 5.1 at all, and there are no special features.Despite the problems, I would strongly recommend this series to amateur and advanced physicists alike! Wonders Of The Solar System [Blu-rayStephen Hawking's Universe [Blu-ray] [1997

Anybody can go on the internet and teach themselves about the many wonders of our Universe. Hell, if you are lucky enough and have the mind for it you could even go and study physics or astrology at University. However, this collection of four mini documentaries are told with such enthusiasm and simplicity by its host, Brian Cox, that the information you take away from each viewing was much more fun to learn and much easier to apply than it would be if learnt by other methods. The series won't turn you into a genius, but it will help you understnad some of the big questions many have about our lives and the role their play in the wider scope of the universe. Whether it is Brian showing the entrophic nature of our Universe with sand or him explaining how everything must move from an ordered to disordered state through the use of wrecked ships, there is never a dull moment in this series, and you feel neither confused or patronised as Brain talks you through some of the more complex astrological theories. The fact that the scientific world has such a young and enthusiastic person willing to share his knowledge is a real beacon of light in these times where skilled scientists to teach at schools and work in atrological circles are in short supply. One can only hope that this series inspires young people to learn more about the universe they live in, and perhaps become scientists themselves one day. If you have ever looked up to the stars and asked yourself a question about the many mysteries of our universe, then you owe it to yourself to watch this.